Events

Festival of Lessons and Carols

All Saints' Chapel, Dec. 2, 5:00 pm–3:45 pm

While Sewanee’s Advent carol services date back to 1933, the more formal Lessons and Carols services began in 1960 in the newly completed All Saints’ Chapel. The service is based on one that has been sung annually since 1918 at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England.

There will be two services of the 2012 Festival of Lessons and Carols in All Saints’ Chapel on Sunday, Dec. 2, both open to the public. The first service begins at 5 p.m. and the second begins at 8 p.m. (all times Central). The doors open one hour before the beginning of each service.

Through music and readings, the Festival of Lessons and Carols explores Christian themes of God's Advent and Incarnation in Jesus Christ. The University Choir sings carols appropriate to the Advent season and Christmas after the reading of each lesson; individual members of the college, seminary, and community read the lessons. The music frequently includes a new carol commissioned for the service. Sewanee’s All Saints’ Chapel is decorated by members of the college and community with greens and materials from the University forest and with red poinsettias given in memory of loved ones.